Some aspects of this discussion remind me a bit of the advice given
in Richard Bube's "So You Want to Be a Science Professor"
( http://www.asa3.org/ASA/PSCF/1989/PSCF9-89Bube.html ). His #1
piece of advice is "Get Tenure". He refers to pre-tenure as
"trial-by-fire, a 6-year indentured servanthood". This is not to
comment necessarily on Gonzalez' case--perhaps it's more of a
reflection on my own experience. The reality in the academic world
today is that you must devote yourself to those things that
those who will be judging you think to be important. Other issues--
perhaps more interesting to you personally--should be put
on the back burner until you've jumped through the tenure hoop.
Whether this is Christian perspectives issues or even a more
speculative research program, you might not be able to do it at all
if you don't get tenure.

As for the academic freedom issue, there's a sense in all this in
which academic freedom is only for tenured faculty. After all, that's
one of the purposes of tenure.

TG

On May 14, 2007, at 3:36 PM, Dawsonzhu@aol.com wrote:

> Pim wrote
>
>> For a wide range of opinions see for instance Denyse O'Leary on a
>> young gifted astronomer
>> http://post-darwinist.blogspot.com/2007/05/update-more-background-
>> on-gifted-id.html
>> arguing that this is all a dark conspiracy against ID, Christianity
>> etc or Ed Brayton on the brutal realities of tenure
>> http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2007/05/>> tenure_and_the_id_persecution.php
>>
>> Brayton describes the 'adventures' of Sean Carroll who was denied
>> tenure even though he had quite an impressive publication record,
>> etc.
>>
>
>
> Quite likely, the truth lies somewhere on one side or
> the other of the middle.
>
> I do think it best you stay off of his involvement in
> ID when questioning his credentials. In general,
> scientists spend their life on their work, and
> often sacrifice family, friends, relations, (basically
> life) trying to push ahead their career. If we start
> impugning involvement in harmless extra curricular
> activities, and I would consider the intellectual
> persuit of ID harmless, then we also can expect
> anyone else who seeks a life outside of science, such as
> campaigning for some cause, or playing in an orchestra,
> or spending time with the boy scouts or any other
> activity that keeps the scientist from always worshiping
> his/her job, we are all in trouble. You wonder if
> universities ever ask what they expect a scientist
> to do after he/she retires, having sacrificed family,
> hobby, and self all to the great god.
>
> We have all sinned, and surely, working long enough
> in one place, much can be claimed on anyone.
>
> by Grace we proceed,
> Wayne
>
>